This author had been on my radar for a few years, and yet I had never read any of her books. This was the first and won't be the last. I found this to be a dark and emotional read. 20 years ago, Jenny is at a sleep-over and her friend goes missing. Jenny's father was arrested. Now a present-day true crime series, promising to "solve the unsolvable", is rehashing the case. Parts of the story are told from the missing girl's mom, the series episodes and Jenny. Jenny's piece seems to be told through letters to her incarcerated father. This is a small cast of characters, so I really felt for them and as if I knew them. The setting is excellently described. I definitely felt as if I were in a small, Southern Florida swamp town. I don't want to give too much away but can highly recommend this story. Definitely reading more from Lori Roy!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lori Roy and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of June 24th, 2025.

<i> The Final Episode </i> is the sixth novel written by award winning southern-gothic / mystery writer Lori Roy, and after reading this book I will be pleased to backtrack and follow along with any future novels.

<i> The Final Episode </i> is masterfully written with excellent pacing and attention to detail that grabs onto you and holds on tight. When you think you have the answer, you’re pulled back by another detail that slipped past you, small as it was, but not so much that you feel like you’re scrambling to keep track. The lengthy planning and love for the story is evident in Roy’s writing.

I very much enjoy how despite this story being built on heavy themes, Roy presents a soft undertone as well that I find rare in books of this genre. We walk with characters as they experience grief, fear and betrayal- losing their innocence and everything they have- but alongside it we feel the love the characters have for each other. I feel this is partially accomplished by framing most of the novel as a letter to her incarcerated father, and I think the emotionality of the story would not have been as impactful without that choice.

I look forward to reading more from this author in (hopefully) the near future.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC.

Another outstanding read by Lori Day Rader.

The story begins twenty plus years ago, when parents of a sick child wake up to find her missing from their home, her sleepover friend the only witness to the abduction. Two separate stories that run parallel then collide with another mystery, an accusation, an arrest, and the story of the children as adults twenty years later runs concurrently with this as well.
The state of Florida provides the mood for every scene.this author always nails this atmosphere, whether it be the skies, the winds, the humidity, there’s never a misstep, I live here, I know. I can feel the day or night, the conversation, the hesitancy in a nature walk, the fears and the sweat.
The nails the feelings of pre-teen girls, the insecurities, the ebbs and flows of friendships and needs, with no condescension.
The nation is viewing the story of the abduction on a true. Rime show, with all the players currently waiting to see what new evidence, if any, may be revealed. Additionally there are suspect behaviors occurring.
A great telling of how our childhoods may or may not affects adversely, or not, our paths and choices as adults.
I highly recommend this story.

The summer Jenny turned 11 her father went to prison for a missing girl, Francie. A true crime show has picked up the story and is telling it over 8 episodes. The final episode is nearing and the truth will come out. I really liked the premise of this book and I enjoyed the chapters pertaining to each episode and the flash forward to present. However, I feel like the episode chapters were very long. This book took a while to really get into but after I figured out the writing style I did enjoy this book.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. I wanted to badly to enjoy it but it never really clicked in my brain.

I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong and it will definitely have its audience, I just don’t think I am it.

This story is told in two different perspectives. One is in the voice of the main character, Jenny, and it's written like she's writing a letter to her father. This alternates with episodes from a true crime tv show that's about an incident from Jenny's childhood.

I enjoyed the story. It was a little slow, but I was still invested and wanted to know the outcome. Somewhere around 70-73% it became very hard to put down. I sort of guessed the big reveal, but there were still twists that I didn't see coming.

My only complaint would be that the whole thing with the true crime show seemed very disjointed from the story. There was no lead up as to why this show was so great at solving old cases. Maybe it would have been more cohesive if we heard actual interviews from people instead of just reading a dramatization of past events.

Overall, it was a great story and I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys suspenseful mysteries.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lori Roy's "The Final Episode" is a spellbinding thriller that pulls readers into the eerie world of a young woman who uses a special inherited talent to help police locate the bodies of those who have lost their lives in traumatic circumstances.

As the number of recovered corpses quickly mounts and a local serial killer connection is uncovered, no one is above suspicion.

The novel's brilliance lies in Roy's ability to create an atmosphere of suspense and unease, expertly weaving together the various threads of the investigation with the eerie backdrop of the town's haunted past

The protagonist's evolution throughout this story is compelling, as she faces moral dilemmas and uncovers dark secrets that force her to confront her own beliefs and values. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Roy's writing is taut and evocative, capturing the tension and urgency of the quest to find a murderer.

The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter building on the suspense and leading to a climactic and satisfying conclusion. The novel's exploration of themes such as truth, morality, and the impact of storytelling adds an additional layer of complexity to the thrilling plot.

"The Final Episode" is a masterful blend of psychological suspense and mystery, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. Lori Roy's skillful storytelling and richly drawn characters ensure that this novel will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.

This reader and reviewer gives this novel a five star rating.

Recommended for readers who enjoy gripping thrillers with complex characters and twisty plots. "The Final Episode" is a standout novel that showcases Lori Roy's talent for crafting captivating and thought-provoking stories.

Thank you to Lori Roy, Thomas & Mercer, and netgalley for the arc copy of The Final Episode! Loved all the details, the author painted the atmosphere well! This novel switches between past and present time. Some chapters were long but kept your attention and wanting to read more! Multiple twists. Kept me guessing and unable to figure out the ending! This book publishes 6/24/25!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for ARC of this book! I really appreciated this book for its complex characters and showing how trauma can affect us! The characters are raw and real, which I really enjoyed!

A bit of a slow read for me ( I put it aside and read another book.) but in the end, it was an enjoyable story. I loved the dual story lines and it alternated between chapters and podcast episodes.


Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review The Final Episode!

This book was a lot of fun! I enjoyed the dual timelines and the way the twists were revealed. I raced through it, I couldn’t put it down!

**5-Star Review for *The Final Episode* by Lori Roy**

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*The Final Episode* by Lori Roy is a masterfully crafted, atmospheric thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. With its gripping plot, richly drawn characters, and eerie setting, this novel proves Lori Roy’s exceptional ability to weave suspense and emotional depth into a truly captivating story.

Set against the backdrop of a small town and its deeply intertwined secrets, *The Final Episode* introduces readers to a world where nothing is as it seems. Roy expertly builds tension, layer by layer, as the story unfolds, and each twist feels both unexpected and inevitable in the best possible way. The pacing is tight and relentless, with no wasted words, ensuring that every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery.

What really sets this novel apart is the strength of its characters. Roy doesn’t just craft a thrilling plot; she gives us people who feel real, complicated, and flawed. The central characters, their motivations, and the relationships between them are beautifully fleshed out. I found myself completely invested in their fates, whether I was rooting for or against them. The way Roy explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption adds layers of emotional complexity to the narrative.

The tension builds not just from the plot, but from the rich atmosphere of the novel—the small-town setting, the quiet unease that hangs in the air, and the shadows of the past that continue to influence the present. The ending is both satisfying and haunting, tying up the mystery while leaving an impression that lingers long after the final page.

*The Final Episode* is a thrilling, well-written novel that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and literary thrillers alike. Lori Roy has proven once again that she is a master of her craft. Highly recommended!

Lori Roy’s The Final Episode is a gripping, atmospheric novel that masterfully intertwines family secrets, childhood trauma, and the search for truth. While the story starts at a measured pace, it quickly builds into a compelling exploration of identity and the lingering shadows of the past.

Jennifer Jones’s childhood was defined by the mysteries of Big Cypress Swamp, a place of family legend, danger, and the disappearance of young Francie Farrow. Decades later, Jennifer’s life is upended when the TV series Inspired by True Events revisits that fateful summer. The show promises answers, but for Jennifer, it reopens old wounds, forces her to question her father’s conviction, and casts doubt on the very foundation of her identity.

Roy’s portrayal of Jennifer is nuanced and deeply human. As Jennifer grapples with the resurfacing of her painful past, readers are drawn into her conflicted emotions, her desire for closure, her fear of what the truth might reveal, and her struggle to reconcile her family’s history with her own sense of self.

The novel’s slow start allows for a richly detailed setup, immersing readers in the oppressive heat of the swamp and the intricacies of small-town dynamics. Once the narrative gains momentum, the twists and revelations keep coming, culminating in a finale that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. The inclusion of the true-crime TV series adds a unique and timely layer, exploring the ethics of sensationalized storytelling and its impact on those involved.

I’m grateful to Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this title via NetGalley. The Final Episode is a deeply atmospheric and haunting novel that rewards patient readers with a richly layered story. It’s perfect for fans of slow-burn mysteries, complex characters, and Southern Gothic settings. Lori Roy delivers a powerful reminder of how the past can shape and sometimes distort our understanding of the truth.

This thriller had a great premise, but in the end fell flat for me. The pacing was off, dialogue was too long winded/superficial, and poor character development. Had great promise but wasn't my favorite!

I so immensely appreciated this book for its complex characters and realistic portrayals of how trauma can affect us. The characters in this book are REAL and raw, often making decisions that make them unlikable or that you genuinly can't defend. If you need every protagonist in the book you read to have no faults you may not enjoy this but if you also love actually reading about realistic protagonists, even if they make bad choices sometimes, this is a great one.

The switches between point of view and narrative were seamless. I am often not a fan of multiple points of view or third person omnicient(or similar) books but Lori Roy elegantly takes us back and forth between character's experiences, in and out of different peoples heads without any stilted or awkard moments. The distinction between charcaters and ther narrative voices is so well done that you can clearly tell who's viewpoint we are in without labels or new chapters needed. Jenny as an adult, Jenny as a child and Beverly, the mother of Francie Farrow, are our main guides for most of the book.

I loved all the descriptive references to southern dishes like marshmallow fluff salad and of the setting in this area of the South. The setting of not just the swamp but many other elements important to the area created an amazingly immersive atmosphere to read in. I.e. the orchids, the weather, the food, the speech, the cypress trees.

There were a lot of twists at the end that felt like mini twists kind of just thrown around. I wish they had been more cohesively revealed together in a way instead of the last 5 chapters being little reveal, little reveal, little reveal back-to-back.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it is my new favorite thriller. Thank you to Netgalley and Lori Roy for this Advanced Readers Copy!! :)

This was a really interesting concept, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from the thriller aspect. It was interesting that this uses the true crime element and that the characters belonged in this story. Lori Roy does a great job in writing this and making characters that I cared about in this book.

This book is an interesting mix of present and past storylines, told through the lens of a true crime show and a series of letters. I consider it a fast read, with an interesting concept that should appeal to lovers of true crime shows. Will the final episode reveal what happened all those years ago?

I enjoyed this slow burn mystery by Lori Roy. The Final Episode switches between the present and the past and follows the unsolved mystery of Frankie Farrow’s disappearance from her home in near the Florida swamps. At times the pacing was slow but I’m glad I pushed through because it ends up to be a satisfying mystery novel.

I loved this.
The descriptions of the swamp were so vivid, and the characters felt so real. Particularly the girls, this book felt so true to how we can be at that age, all the games we play with one another.
The grief and the tension of grieving someone who isn't dead, someone who may have done something unforgivable, is raw and it's handled perfectly.

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review.
I’ve reviewed a few of this authors books and this is definitely one of their strongest .
Thought provoking and well written